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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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Chapter 57<br />

Our Relations to Civil Rulers and Laws<br />

The apostle plainly outlined <strong>the</strong> attitude that believers should sustain<br />

toward <strong>the</strong> civil authorities: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord's sake: whe<strong>the</strong>r it be to <strong>the</strong> king, as supreme; or unto governors,<br />

as unto <strong>the</strong>m that are sent by him <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> punishment of evildoers, and <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

praise of <strong>the</strong>m that do well. For so is <strong>the</strong> will of God, that with well-doing ye<br />

may put to silence <strong>the</strong> ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your<br />

liberty <strong>for</strong> a cloak of maliciousness, but as <strong>the</strong> servants of God. Honor all<br />

men. Love <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rhood. Fear God. Honor <strong>the</strong> king." 1 Peter 2:13-17.<br />

We have men placed over us <strong>for</strong> rulers, and laws to govern <strong>the</strong> people.<br />

Were it not <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>se laws, <strong>the</strong> condition of <strong>the</strong> world would be worse than it<br />

is now. Some of <strong>the</strong>se laws are good, o<strong>the</strong>rs are bad. The bad have been<br />

increasing, and we are yet to be brought into strait places. But God will<br />

sustain His people in being firm and living up to <strong>the</strong> principles of His Word.<br />

I saw that it is our duty in every case to obey <strong>the</strong> laws of our land, unless<br />

<strong>the</strong>y conflict with <strong>the</strong> higher law which God spoke with an audible voice<br />

from Sinai, and afterward engraved on stone with His own finger. "I will put<br />

My laws into <strong>the</strong>ir mind, and write <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong>ir hearts: and I will be to <strong>the</strong>m<br />

a God, and <strong>the</strong>y shall be to Me a people." He who has God's law written in<br />

<strong>the</strong> heart will obey God ra<strong>the</strong>r than men, and will sooner disobey all men<br />

than deviate in <strong>the</strong> least from <strong>the</strong> commandment of God. God's people,<br />

taught by <strong>the</strong> inspiration of truth, and led by a good conscience to live by<br />

every word of God, will take His law, written in <strong>the</strong>ir hearts, as <strong>the</strong> only<br />

authority which <strong>the</strong>y can acknowledge or consent to obey. The wisdom and<br />

authority of <strong>the</strong> divine law are supreme.<br />

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